Page 28 of Scotch & Shortbread

He took it from her and put it under the sink in a bin. When he stood back up, she moved in closer to him and wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug well aware he’d hate it, but she didn’t care. Quinn needed to hug the man who’d saved her life.

Pressing her face against his chest, she settled her arms around him even though he stood stock-still, his arms hanging awkwardly like he didn’t know where to put them. It didn’t deter her though. Instead, she savoured his solid warmth. God and his scent. She suspected she could hyperventilate, trying to breathe in all his yumminess. Never had someone smelled this good. It was next level. Realizing she was bordering on sniffing him like an airport drug detector dog, she lifted her face to look at him.

“I just wanted to thank you.” Her breath caught under his stormy gaze. She cleared her throat and forged on, “I— You— Well, if you hadn’t been there…” She bit her lip, feeling her eyes sting. “Thank you.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“I am glad we found ye,” he said gruffly. He lifted his hand to her face, but he seemed to think better of it, dropping it away.

It sobered Quinn. He didn’t want to touch her, or if he did, he schooled himself not to. Either way, it sucked. He likely came to people’s rescue often given his job. This wasn’t a big deal for him like it was for her. He was a cop, duty-bound. Hastily, she released her arms from around him and turned to walk back into the living room.

“Guess you’re used to being all hero-like,” she teased, trying to quell the small stab of disappointment.

“No’ bloody likely,” he grunted and turned back to the sink to wash his glass.

Quinn watched him curiously. For a guy who came across as cocky and overly confident, it surprised her he didn’t relish the hero reference. Could it be that Mean Hot Cop was humble? She noted he’d gotten uncomfortable under her praise and with her hugging him. What was under all his gruff facade? She’d caught glimpses. Moments of kindness and good humour. Jeepers and that smile. What would he be like if he let down that guard that he kept so high? Then she bit her lip and wondered what was it that made him keep a guard up in the first place.

“I’m sure ye must be exhausted. Ye can sleep in the bedroom, and I’ll sleep on the settee.” Not that he wanted her sleeping in his bed, but his mam had taught him manners. As a guest in his home, wanted or not, it wouldn’t be right to make her sleep on the settee. Christ, but the very thought of her lying in his bed made him want to do bad things.Verybad things. Wrapping her arms around him, giving him a wee bosie, shouldn't have had him mentally arguing with his dick to calm down. One of the few occasions he’d have preferred to be wearing his bulletproof vest. Instead, he was tortured with the feel of her large breasts pressed hard against him. Their unmistakable soft fullness relentlessly taunting him.

“Settee?” She grinned, raising her brow playfully pulling him from his spiralling thoughts. She was teasing him, Alex realized belatedly.

“Aye, the settee, or how do ye Canadians say it, the couch.” He emphasized the vowel sound.

She giggled, and he felt the corners of his lips twitch.

“It’s fine. I’m not going to push you out of your bed. I can sleep here.” She flopped down full out on his settee to make her point. And holy fuck, she looked incredibly inviting as she lay there.

Alex crossed his arms over his chest uncomfortable, he did not want to be thinking aboutthat,especially not with this particular lass. She was trouble. A feisty, chatterbox with big innocent eyes and a sinfully tempting mouth, who didn’t know danger even when it towered at six foot four in front of her.

“Besides, I suspect you wouldn’t fit very well on here,” she added oblivious to his randy thoughts. She stretched right out to demonstrate the length of the settee.

Alex’s mouth went dry as eyes ran the length of her. Oh, he could fit on. Tamping down the arousal that threatened his senses and reminding himself that he needed to stay immune to the bloody lass, he agreed.

“Fine.” He wasn’t about to argue. The sooner he could get to his room and put some distance between them, the better.

“Right then, I’ll bring ye another blanket and a pillow,” he said practically stomping down the hall.

Alex wasn’t sure what had gotten into him. Quinn West was undoubtedly an attractive woman, but she’d half driven him crazy since he’d met her. He’d been around plenty of appealing, willing women, who were far less frustrating, and he’d had no problem keeping any kind of arousal at bay. So why on earth was he fighting base urges left, right, and centre with Quinn West?

Perhaps it had been a bit too long since he’d last been with a lass. Not that he was some kind of animal, he could live without sex. He’d sworn off women when he’d left Scotland. It wouldn’t be forever, but at this point in his life, he had no desire to complicate his world. And if he was going to complicate everything, it certainly wouldn’t be with the headstrong stubborn woman lying on his settee.

19

Discipline and Boundaries

Quinnslippedtothebathroom to get ready for bed. When she came back to the living room Alex was back puttering in the kitchen, but he had set out a sheet on the couch with a couple of pillows, and he had a thick cozy quilt laid on top turned down ready for her to get in. Quinn’s heart squeezed at the sight. He might not like to show it, but it seemed like Mean Hot Cop had a sweet side.

“Perfect,” she groaned sleepily sliding her weary body under the quilt.

“Comfy then?” he asked, avoiding eye contact as he flicked out the kitchen light.

“Mmm hmm.” She nodded sleepily.

“Right, well, I’m down the hall if ye need anything.” His voice had that gruffness to it again.

She smiled closing her eyes. “Good night, Sergeant Mackenzie.”

Oh, she’s a handful, he thought to himself. He stood there for a moment, brooding. Her breathing deepened, and she was already asleep. Alex shouldn’t be surprised. The lass had quite the ordeal today. That was his cue to get himself to bed, but instead, he found himself moving towards her. Standing by the settee, he studied her. Her full lips were gently parted as she took deep slow breaths. The sight of her silky auburn hair scattered across the pillow gave Alex the urge to run his hands through it. Stiffening, he realized his thoughts had once again gotten away from him. He turned and strode to his bedroom.

After trying to get comfy and flipping from one side to the other, Alex finally lay on his back throwing his forearm across his head. Every time he tried to clear his mind and willed sleep to come, thoughts of her skittered through his brain like a pigeon flapping around a warehouse not knowing the way out. He kept replaying the memory of carrying her to the fireplace. When he picked her up, his only thought had been to get her close to the heat of the fire, but with the way she wrapped her arms around him and leaned in, her face was near his neck. He’d felt her soft intake of breath. Christ. It haunted him.

---